Sameer Malla is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover North Canyon High School for AZPreps365.com

PHOENIX – The North Canyon Rattlers scored 14 runs combined in the fourth and sixth innings to rout the Carl Hayden Falcons, 15-1, at Carl Hayden on Tuesday afternoon.

An eight-run fourth inning followed by a six-run sixth inning displayed North Canyon’s patience at the plate, as they drew 12 walks and only accrued three hits in those innings alone. Every North Canyon batter walked at least once in the game, with six players drawing at least two walks.

“I think I think we were patient,” North Canyon coach Jeff Fierro said. “It took us like two or three innings for us to finally settle in.”

North Canyon junior third baseman Jordan Peterson was the high point man of this game, as he went two for three with two doubles, one walk, two runs and two RBI on the afternoon.

“I think I was just like trying to swing for contact more rather than trying to put a ball over the fence,” Peterson said. “Which I've been trying to do. I've been trying to swing pretty hard throughout the season. But this game I felt like just putting the ball in play was better for me.”

Regardless of the 14-run margin, Fierro was displeased by the team’s cold, one-run start after the first three innings.

“It was a really ugly game,” Fierro said. “I almost felt our guys were kind of sleepwalking, in the first three innings a little bit. This is something that I have been preaching to them a lot. It really doesn't matter what team we're facing in the other dugout. We've got to still play our game, and I think we had a hard time with that at the beginning. They struggled a little bit, so I hope to kind of clean some stuff up the next few days.”

On the other hand, Carl Hayden coach Jacob Greenberg was not that upset over his team giving up a season-high 15 runs.

“I just think our pitching didn't have it today,” Greenberg said. “I actually thought we played a good defensive game. I thought we played both for four innings. But when our starter came out, we just weren't ready behind him with the relievers.”

“We just have some guys who are still developing,” Greenberg continued. “We have some guys who have taken a step forward this year, including the starter, but we're still developing the relievers behind him.”

The  Rattlers (5-1) will host the Lake Havasu Knights (5-2) on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in the marquee game of the season for both teams.

“I'm happy that we got we got a win,” Fierro said. “But we got a tough opponent coming up on Saturday with Lake Havasu. I just want us to keep getting better every game.”

Carl Hayden (1-2) has a quicker turnaround, as it will stay at home and face the Ironwood Eagles (1-5) on Wednesday at 3:45 p.m.

“I’m not disappointed with the outcome,” Greenberg said. “But we have another game tomorrow, and we'll try to go get that one and try to play hard and play together.”